The first joint U.S.-Russian military exercises on American territory have begun in the western state of Colorado, with drills involving special antiterrorist units.

Colonel Aleksandr Kucherenko, of the Russian Airborne Troops Force, said the exercises began on May 15 at the U.S. base at Fort Carson.

He said units of the U.S. Army's Special Operations Ground Force and the Russian Airborne Troops Force were participating.

In welcoming addresses to the troops, Russian and U.S. military officials expressed hopes that cooperation between the two countries' special-task forces would continue, and that joint training would strengthen confidence between Moscow and Washington, who have shared decades of superpower rivalry.